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Readers'Advisory Genre Study Wiki for NMRLS

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[edit] NMRLS RA Genre Study

The mission of the NMRLS RA Genre Study is to provide an Introduction to Genre Study, 101. Meeting every other month, we shall all read from one genre—and then discuss the appeal of that genre with each other emphasizing the building of a skill set of appeal categories and familiarity of genre particulars.

We shall cover a different genre every meeting, allowing each of us to be introduced to the discipline of reading for appeal, as well as an initiation to broad genre categories. Everyone participating will be able to share analysis of titles and authors in unfamiliar genres that will stretch their capacity as Readers’ Advisors. Your Discussion Leaders are: Leane Ellis, Beebe Library (ellis@noblenet.org) and Nanci Milone Hill (nhill@mvlc.org). For questions or help with this wiki, please contact quezada@noblenet.org

[edit] About Me

Please log on above, click on your name, tell us who you are, where you work, some of your reading interests, favorite books and what might be some of your favorite genres. Make sure to save your work (click save page).

[edit] Genre Studies

See Leane and Shelley in Library Journal, November 1, 2008, "Keeping Up With Genres" : http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6606486.html

[edit] Appeal Characteristics of Books

[edit] Example of RA REVIEW

This is one example of what a RA "review" looks like---less plot, more appeal.

Louis Bayard's The Pale Blue Eye is an historical mystery that takes place in 1830 at West Point with Edgar Allen Poe as a major character.

The author skillfully renders a West Point and a New York setting in a lyrical style that makes the reader feel they are witnessing first hand the details of the time. Gus Landor, a retired NYC detective is reluctantly pulled into an investigation of a cadet's hanging and mutilated body. As the main narrator, Landor is compelling, intelligent and complex. Poe's character comes fully alive with Bayard's pen as Landor describes him and as Landor and the reader come to know him through his letters to Landor. One believes that this could be the poetic, dark and dreary Poe, we have come to expect in his poetry & short stories.

Excellent narrative tension as the author uses the changes in narrator to methodically investigate the suspects, the motives, and the clues that twist and turn. Bayard does a fine job with plot, especially since there are twists to the story that with a lesser hand would be far more confusing. He sets his tale up with panache, yet systematically supplies what his detectives and his readers need to solve the crime--adding suspense, conflict, and emotions to slurry the mix. And I never saw the ending coming.

APPEAL FACTORS: FRAME; CHARACTER; STORYLINE; PACING I would suggest this to a reader who wants a well-researched historical mystery who is intrigued with complex characters and storyline, and appreciates literary-style writing. A reader who can handle realistic detail; not for a die-hard cozy reader. Also someone who enjoys Historical true crime even though this is Fiction.

[edit] Meeting Schedule of Genre Review

  • Review date: November 24, 2009 Narrative Nonfiction Methuen
  • Review date: January 26, 2010 Gentle Reads Wakefield - Register at: http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=NMRLS#1/26/2010
  • Review date: March 23, 2010 Romance Danvers
  • Review date: May 25, 2010 Science Fiction NMRLS
  • No meeting in July--Write in Wiki June, July & August.
  • Review date: September 28, 2010 Historical Fiction To be announced

[edit] *Review date: March 23, 2010

Meeting at the Peabody Institute Library in Danvers

9:45am to 12N. Genre: Romance

  • Benchmark: Susan Elizabeth Phillip's Natural Born Charmer

For your second title--please choose a title from any Romance subgenre other than Contemporary Romance

Please sign up on the NMRLS Eventkeeper: http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=NMRLS#1385579

[edit] Genre: Mystery

[edit] Benchmark Title: Dennis Lehane Darkness, Take My Hand

Please read this title with all the appeal factors in mind--but concentrate on Story Line.

[edit] Mystery Genre: Second Title

Click on the Darkness, Take My Hand link to add the name of your second mystery and and a short annotation stressing the appeal characteristics.

  • NOTES ON SECOND TITLES: Leane

Hopefully, everyone will comment on their books in the Wiki—here are some Appeal reactions from my notes:

Eileen: Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs. slow-paced, predictable, Maisie Dobbs' past & personality revealed slowly throughout book Cozy, sweet British series Other comments: Not your usual mystery—would appeal to those who like the PostWWI England setting. Character of Maisie is fascinating and fresh—it is her story that compelled one reader to finish the whole series. Not a fast-paced mystery—but a thoughtful coming-of-age tale in many ways with some disturbing visions of WWI. Recommend audio.

Jan: John Harvey’s Cold Light Charlie Resnick series—England Good writer, older police detective, loner, POV of main character plus others good secondary characters, gritty suspense, excellent stylist, storyteller Appeal: Character, setting

Tricia: Ariana Franklin’s The Mistress of the Art of Death Main character is strong female but reluctant investigator in middle ages Birth of forensic science Appeal: Characters, Setting

Laurie King’s The Beekeeper’s Apprentice Fresh take on Sherlock Holmes, strong female character, relationship Character development

Michelle: Judy Blundell’s What I saw and How I lied YA post WWII Frame—glamorous like Kennedys Pacing—not fast, great tension, many mysteries Character—Evie is compelling main character Unresolved ending—can be interpreted many ways—good book discussion

Cleo Coyle’s Expresso Shot Cozy, romantic, read for characters

Shelley: Elizabeth George’s Careless in Red Setting of Cornwall Character Same appeal as Martha Grimes Insp. Jury series

Rebecca Stott’s Ghostwalk Supernatural more than a mystery

Mary: Linda Greenlaw’s Slipknot First mystery from NF writer Audio Big city detective goes to small Maine town, Police procedural Maybe a cozy, sets up for a continuing series leaving a few unanswered character questions Appeal: Character, setting

Tatjana: P.D. James Cover Her Face First in Adam Dagliesh series Slowly paced Multiple POV Appeal: Character

Nanci: James Patterson’s Along Came A Spider #1 in series Fast-paced, disappointed in this as a 2nd read More a thriller than a mystery although the Alex Cross series is a police procedural in its frame.

Mentioned Douglas Clegg’s Mordred, Bastard Sonfirst in a trilogy (Arthurian Fantasy)

[edit] Genre: Fantasy

[edit] Benchmark Title: Mercedes Lackey's Magic's Pawn

  • Review date: January 27, 2009 Meeting in Wakefield

NOTES on Discussion (1.27.09) Mercedes Lackey’s Magic Pawn GENRE: FANTASY

DISCLAIMER: Again, it is very difficult to moderate a discussion and write the notes. I forgot to ask for a volunteer at this meeting—in the future I shall ask someone else to take some notes during the discussion. Leane

Magic Pawn

This is the first in the Valdemar series, and the first in the Magic trilogy.

Mixed reactions from everyone from not well-developed characters to too well-developed (whiny, adolescent) etc. Vanyel, the main character is a character who epitomizes the coming-of-age adolescent—finding his own way in a very difficult world. He is also homosexual and must find peace with this part of his character as well. Secondary characters were more than stereotypical but there was some criticism that they were uneven—wanted more of the Hawk brothers and the sister. Mentioned that you get more in other parts of the series.

Plot took its time and the pacing was a very slow build as the world is created and the magic is explained (and to some not well enough) and the last third was almost exploded with faster pacing and action. Lots of dialogue—but even more introspection which slows the narrative down.

Some thought Valdemar underdeveloped, and I did point out that this is a series with many parts and some of the world building takes place over time—although there should be enough in any part of the series if the author is doing the job well. Unlike most Sword & Sorcery or some High Fantasy books this had less action and more introspective growth.

Topics: powerless victims, ethical use of power, coming-of-age, gay teenagers

APPEAL FACTORS: STORYLINE—Coming-of-age storyline; CHARACTER—Vanyel’s growth; like most Fantasies—the pace is slower in the beginning and than builds into some action and those who want more obvious manifestations of magic may not care for this world/series. Those who like magical animals, Native American mythology may enjoy. Excellent integration of gay themes for those readers looking for that.

This is a Fantasy because of the magical world of Valdemar and the Herald Mage /Companion elements. Manipulation of elements and other psychic gifts. Good vs evil is prominent in both main character’s life and the big picture of Vanyel’s acceptance of his gift and his decision to use his magical abilities ethically/morally to protect those who are weaker and in need of his help from those who have evil intentions.

Some possible suggestions for those who want something like Magic Pawn: For those who like High Fantasy—Jim Butcher’s Calderon series, also elemental magic (Furies of Calderon); Lynn Flewelling’s Nightrunners series (Luck in the Shadows); Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series (Kushiel’s Dart); Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden Series (Ill Wind) (elements), Elizabeth Bear & Sarah Monette’s Companion to Wolves, Monette’s The Mirador

[edit] Fantasy Genre: Second Title

From Leane--Hopefully, everyone will comment on their books in the Wiki—here are some Appeal reactions from my notes:

Eileen: Juliet Marillier. Daughter of the Forest. Well-developed characters Celtic Legend of the Swans (Mythic/Fairy tale) Tension but slowly paced; 1st person narrative Series

Trisha: Mariva V.Snyder’s Poison Study. See excellent summary. Strong female character develops into strong woman Might appeal to those who enjoy historicals Series; quick pace Also mentioned Guy Gabriel Kay’s Ysabel—appealing to teen boys, Romans vs Celts; current with magic included

Michelle: Brent Weeks’s The Way of Shadows, #1 Night Angel series. See Excellent summary. Thorough world-building, not fast paced but the action is cinematic Ambiguous characters—hard to know who is good or bad May appeal to those who enjoy Urban Fantasy or G.R.R. Martin High Fantasy

Mary: Viewed/listened with grandson to C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. See Summary. Commented on how when she was younger she really was entranced with fairy tales—and those are viewed as Fantasy.

Tatjana: Patrica McKillip’s The Bell at Sealey Head Would make a good bridge book because it is light Fantasy for those who do not usually read Fantasy, magic is spells Regency period with gothic feel Story with a strong gentle mystery romance; fairy tale good characters, sense of place

Jan: Jim Butcher’s Storm Front. See excellent summary. Urban Fantasy series; Harry Dresden files#1 Guy Noir meets Merlin, hardboiled mystery Paranormal police procedural Humorous, some violence

Susanne: Devon Monk's "Magic to the Bone" -- a very creative urban fantasy from a new author. I hope she'll write more books about her tough, scrappy female protagonist who lives in an alternate, very magical Portland, Oregon.


Click on above link to add the name of your fantasy and and a short annotation stressing the appeal characteristics

[edit] Genre: Women's Lives and Relationships

[edit] Benchmark Title: Sarah Addison Allen's Garden Spells

[edit] Genre: Literary Fiction

[edit] Sarick's Definition

  • Literary style is important. Elegant, often poetic language.
  • Structure of novel may be more complex/experimental.
  • Characters more important than story lines.
  • Philosophical questions often explored through characters
  • Even secondary characters are multi-dimensional.
  • Story lines are provocative.
  • Pacing is slower with complex characters and story lines, and more description than dialogue.
  • Tone is bleaker and darker and reflects the seriousness of the subject matter.

(Saricks, Guide to Genre Fiction, 127.)

[edit] Leane's Definition

The author does more than 1 or 2 things well; in fact, the author does many things well and does them often with changing narrative structure and a use of language that is hard to compare. Some authors get character right, some get character & setting, but few can blend all appeal aspects well enough to produce that satisfactory sigh. The language lingers on the palate–and the the thematic content resonates with the reader.

[edit] Benchmark Title: Barbara Kingsolver's The Bean Trees

Nanci Hill's Notes from the Meeting:

lyrical & descriptive language; character-driven not plot-driven; plot is underneath the story--character motivations & feelings.

You can empathize & identify w/characters motivations, reactions & feelings

A few people didn't get into the character because reader could not identify with her.

Voice: instantly puts you in Arizona Southern setting; humor true to character. Not over the top. True Voice. Sets tone for story.

Character's reactions is very acute--reaction to setting not setting itself.

Language descriptive w/out being flowery. It's honest.

Thematic underplots: abuse/immigration/women traveling alone--journey book; very subversive politically--does not hit you over the head--subplots to story of Taylor&Turtle.

Not at all dated; resonates which is a test for literary fiction

Handles the child abuse subtly. You see it in Turtle's reactions & nonreactions.

You trust the author to give you things you don't need. Re: description of actual abuse

Arc--Mother/Daughter theme

Other books like it: T.C. Boyle's Tortilla Curtain for the immigration theme; Southern CA setting, character-driven; language Also Roy's God of Small Things for similar appeal aspects; quality of writing; sense of place; character-driven

[edit] Literary Fiction: Second title

Click on above link to add the name of your Literary fiction title and add a short annotation stressing the appeal characteristics.

Nanci Hill's summary of second Literary Title read:

Toni Morrison's A Mercy Alternates between 5/6 characters. Each voice is distinct in each chapter.All about betrayal & the definition of love. Good companion to Beloved. Use of language.

S.J. Rozan's Absent Friends Set around 9/11; two times mid to late 70s Staten Island & NYC 9/11 Not linear structure. Character-driven. Life about choices. Combo of story & characters. Mystery is secondary. Character's reactions are more important.

Annie Dillard's The Maytrees Plays with language; descriptive language; Dual perspectives; characters seemed flat. Leisurely-paced.

Elizabeth Strout's Amy and Isabel Strong story & setting. Descriptive. Characterization is the strongest. Told from alternating points of view. Moderate pacing.

Katherine Stockett's The Help Wonderful characterizations; 1962 Mississippi. Three POV. Authentic voices. Racism is the hot button issue. Plot-driven; setting is very evocative, atmospheric, very Southern, does tone really well. Hard to put down.

Geraldine Brooks's People of the Book Wee-researched. Strangely linear. Alternating historical/contemporary chapters. Reader felt disconnect w/characters with the exception of one character, Lola. Historical characters had more depth. Loved the conservation aspect of the book. Descriptive about relationships: individual to God, religion, boos, each other. Mystery undertone.

Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace

Julia Glass's The Whole World Over Multiple characters; multiple POV; 9/11 backframe; descriptive language--poetic; about taking chances. Like a tapestry--interconnected stories. Also Strong Women's Fiction.

Anne Tyler's Back When We Were Grownups Self-reflection; mostly about characters; a do-over book Also strong Women's Fiction

[edit] Genre: Adrenaline Fiction: Suspense and Thrillers

[edit] Minutes from September discussion

R.A.R.T. September 22, 2009 Reading Public Library Recorded by Mary Behrle

Present: Tricia Arrington , Eileen Barrett, Mary Behrle, Michelle Deschene-Warren, Leane Ellis, Robert Hayes , Shelley Quezada, Jan Resnick , Becky Rowlands.

Leane showed the new Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction, by Joyce Saricks. The author says to “suggest” rather than “recommend” titles to patrons. Let’s start this new R.A.R.T. year with this in mind. Partner (from Saricks) with your readers to make suggestions rather than recommendations.

Those who don't usually read adrenaline fiction talked about why: • The “creep” factor. • Sometimes there are too many things going on at once, at times unbelievable things. • Don’t like to be scared to death.

Orchid Beach, by Stewart Woods • Orchid Beach is a thriller; can also be a mystery and a police procedural. • However, even those who don’t tend to read this genre thought it was interesting, wanted to get through it to make sure everyone was okay at the end. • Comments: o The group liked Holly, Jackson, Ham, and Daisy. o Is the character of Daisy believable? o Holly trusted Jackson way too early on in their acquaintance. o Barney was the most sinister character. The reader could not tell who was giving him information. o Most were put off by Holly’s comparison of herself with Daisy, as a “working bitch.” Although within the context of the story and Holly’s background in the military, others were okay with it. This analogy is a trigger for readers’ advisors, i.e., pay attention to gender roles in titles. o Most thought the activities going on at Palmetto Gardens seemed unrealistic – by who knows this world of drugs? o Did the author lay the groundwork for the gated community? “Somewhat” and “pretty well,” were the feelings. o A weakness of thrillers – the villains are not as well-developed as in suspense. The reader does not get into the villain’s head. o Parallels: J.A. Jance’s Joanna Brady, Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon, Tony Hillerman’s novels. [Leane’s note: Other readalikes: Nelson DeMille, Lawrence Saunders/Vincent Lardo McNally series, and James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club.]

Appeals: Pacing, Characterization, Frame

On the Street Where You Live, by Mary Higgins Clark. • On the Street Where You Live is suspense. The villain is there right away to grab the reader. • Obvious right from the start that Emily Graham is in jeopardy: she has a stalker, there are bodies found buried in her backyard. The reader is invested in the circumstances right away. • The pace is non-stop from chapter to chapter. • The chapters count down the timeline to the next expected murder. • The style is set up from the beginning – it goes back in time, forward in time, and is in the present. • The setting is a main character. • Lots of secondary characters; there are villains everywhere. • Mary Higgins Clark is formulaic, but people who love her love her. Some Nora Roberts are read-a-likes; [Leane’s note: also Lisa Gardner, Iris Johansen’s Eve Duncan series, Joy Fielding]

Appeals: Pacing, Characterization, Story Line

Other Adrenaline:

Jan: Relic, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The first of the Pendergast series. There’s gore and good characterization; it triggers emotions and fears. A parallel with Jurassic Park.

Dead Sleep, by Greg Iles. A photojournalist on a trip to Hong Kong finds her missing sister in a museum exhibit on sleep. But are the subjects asleep or dead? Complex, psychological, with physical danger. Pacing.

Eileen: Secret History, by Donna Tartt. Don’t usually like to be scared, but didn’t find this scary. A literary suspense that takes place on a college campus in Vermont. (Suspense in academic settings is a sub-genre.) At the beginning the reader knows who is murdered and who did it, but doesn’t know why. Psychological, well-written, developed characters.

Becky: Shutter Island, by Dennis Lehane. This takes place in 1954 with the disappearance of a mental patient from a hospital off the coast of Massachusetts. There’s an interesting back story. Plot twists at the end. Pacing, characterization.

Eye Contact, by Cammie McGovern. Built as psychological suspense. A young autistic boy is found in the woods with his murdered friend. What happened? The boy is unable to communicate. The backstory is the boy’s mother. The characters are well-developed. There are many turns to the mystery that sometimes felt frantic, but it all added up. Characterization, pacing.

Mary: Borderline, by Nevada Barr. Park Ranger Anna Pigeon vacation in Big Bend National Park becomes a deadly mix of border politics and personal tragedies. Pacing, characterization.

Michelle: Body Finder, by Kimberly Derting. A well-paced YA novel. Violet, the heroine hears “death echoes” from the graves of girls murdered by a serial killer. She is using that sense to help police solve the crimes. There are creepy bad guys, a scare factor with gore, and a good romantic element. Good for adults who might want to ease their way into this genre.

Tricia: Finding Nouf, by Zoe Ferraris. It’s called a “literary thriller,” but feels like a mystery. Takes the reader inside the conservative Muslim world, with wealthy family politics and a twist at the end. No one is in danger. More character development than pacing. (Leane noted that in literary thriller there is a different way to calibrate pacing.)

Robert: Alex Cross’s Trial, by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo. Not really an Alex Cross series book, although Alex tells the story of his great uncle in the time of Teddy Roosevelt. There are lots going on: Ku Klux Klan lynchings, politics, historical aspects, courtroom drama, danger most of the time. Character-driven with a twist at the end. (Leane noted that in a historical thriller, the reader usually comes away with something more than the ride--some knowledge of the time, place, culture.)

Leane: Scarecrow, by Michael Connelly. “Best thriller ever!” Read The Poet first, though. Pacing, characterization, tone makes you nervous for Jack McEvoy. Some ST as a female FBI agent comes to rescue Jack.

The Defector, by Gabriel Allon. A current thriller. Pacing, stunning plot.

Jan: Child 44, by Tom Rob Smith. This takes place in Stalin’s time. A serial killer is on the loose in a society that does not admit to serial killings. Bleak Soviet thriller.

[edit] Benchmark Title: Suspense: Mary Higgins Clark's On the Street Where you Live

[edit] Benchmark Title: Thriller: Stuart Woods' Orchid Beach

[edit] Elective Adrenaline Fiction Title

[edit] Summer Reading--Other than Adrenaline Fiction

Review anything--with an emphasis on Appeal. Less plot, more appeal. Less plot, more appeal.

  • Label as a genre if you think it will be helpful.
  • Nonfiction is just as welcome as Fiction, and YA & Children's titles, as well as Audio books, too.

[edit] Genre: Narrative Nonfiction

[edit] Nonfiction appeal from Neal Wyatt

  • Narrative exists on a continuum...There are many other reasons to enjoy a title than the force of its story. Just how much narrative is needed depends on the reader(3).
  • [S]ubject does matter a great deal. It measures the initial degree of interest a reader has in a title (7).
  • Readers go to a book because of its subject but they stay for everything else...[Readers] want the book that focuses on the subject in the way they want to experience it (8).
  • Type defines what kind of book on the subject they want...memoir, reporting, etc. (8-9).
  • Type offers readers the variance of mood and perspective. Type Strongly affects the tone, pace, language, detail, story line, mood, and narrative nature of a book (10).
  • In working with nonfiction there are at least eight appeal elements to consider: pacing, characterization, story line, detail, learning/experiencing, language, setting, and tone(10).
  • Pacing is a way to describe how a book moves through the story arc. It has two facets: the feel of the pace when the book is read and the speed at which the story enfolds.
  • Pace is affected by the amount of fact and the theory the reader has to process and how the author incorporates and presents those elements (11).
  • Perception of pace is also affected by the knowledge readers bring to the book and their interest in the topic (11).
  • Books that are highly narrative tend to unfold more directly than titles that are less narrative. Strong narrative drive not only acts as a hook to pull the reader through the book, it also acts as a map to give direction to the reading experience (11).
  • As in fiction, character and pace work together in nonfiction. Nonfiction characters tend to either be quickly defined and remain relatively constant or to be slowly revealed as they develop over the life of the story (12).
  • The types and number of characters in a book, secondary characters, and repeating characters is another aspect of appeal to consider (13).
  • Some readers see secondary Characters as adding to the richness of the work; others prefer not to break away from the main story and character for someone else (14).
  • Nonfiction books have repeating characters that are treated by many different authors (14).
  • Consider the reader's interaction with the characters.
  • Are the characters there to be identified with or observed?...The reading experience changes depending on how the reader responds to the character (14).
  • Unique to nonfiction is the question of the reader's trust and engagement with the author and the authorial voice. A great deal of nonfiction is someone else's story...a great deal of nonfiction is in fact about the author...For these books, the reader must be able to engage the with the author on at least some minimal level (15).
  • Story Line is effected by the narrative nature of the book, the intent of the author and the focus of the story, and how the subject is treated by the author (15)...Story line has a strong influence on the narrative nature of a work...highly narrative nonfiction books tell a strong story and tend to be the easiest books to suggest to readers(16).
  • All books are written with a specific intent and focus...thinking about the author's intent removes us from the need to judge a book on the basis of any criteria other than those internal to the book (16).
  • Story line provides a place in the appeal construct to consider how the subject is approached. Subjects tend to be sole-focus or used as a vessel to collect a range of other subjects to muse on (17).
  • Story line is a multifaceted aspect of appeal...blend[ing] all four aspects of nonfiction--narrative context, subject, type, and appeal (18).
  • Detail refers to the level of description and background in the story (18)...often extending to the visual content of the book and the way it augments the text (19).
  • Readers who like detail notice its absence and tend to enjoy books according to the amount of detail present(19).
  • Part of the biggest difference in reading nonfiction is the nonfiction's intent to turn fact into a teachable moment(19).
  • Books that do not intend to teach usually intend to share an experience or explain a particular feeling or event (20).
  • Learning and experiencing, for some readers. outweigh any other consideration when they are searching for a book (20).
  • Clarity of language matters a great deal in nonfiction, as does the ability to describe events, action, theory, and motivations.
  • Does the writing style matter to the reader? (20)
  • The importance of language to the reader is idiosyncratic to the book and to the reader's mood and tastes (21).
  • Ask if the setting is important to the story and if the location is brought to life (21).
  • Tone is a description of how it feels to read a book (21)...tone is based on the mood of the reader...Tone is the aspect of appeal that readers are least willing to be flexible about (22).
  • Individual responses [to nonfiction] vary depending on many factors--reader's mood, life experience, reading history, importance of each element at a particular time, and skill of the author. Additionally, factors such as the social and political climate, the amount of publicity a book receives, its critical reception, the opinions of family and friends, and the reader's own point of view all affect the way a reader experiences a title (22).

(Wyatt,Neal. The Readers' Advisory Guide to Nonfiction, 2007)

[edit] Benchmark Title: Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City

[edit] Minutes from November Discussion

Notes from 11/24/09 meeting of NMRLS RA RT

The next genre will be Gentle reads. Leane says that Saricks has an interesting take on it. Inspirational Fiction is its own genre. You may also want to look more closely at Christian Fiction…you should consider it since it is HUGE. Leane mentioned certain authors, Tracy Peterson, Laurie Wick.

There was some discussion about Duncan Smith’s talk at Methuen in October and reference to his RUSA article (sent to everyone by email attachment). Nanci commented on the Historical Fiction title her group will be reading, The Red Tent and said the next choice will be The Other Boleyn Girl.

Tricia talked about the results of her RA group. They are doing Fantasy and the first benchmark title was Daughter of the Forest. It seems that it is good to choose a book that most can get into and you should try to get some positive response the first time your staff begins to read their chosen genre. Tricia says you need to keep them on board and stress the need to build their skill level to understand the genre. Tricia says her staff did not really understand much about the fantasy genre. After the first discussion, some people began to understand the appeal factors.

Nanci says it is mandatory that Methuen staff participate if they are on a public service desk. Because Methuen had Duncan Smith come in and address 22 people and later will have Leane come to talk to staff, she feels they have become more involved in the study.

Leane says the worst part of the genre study is you have to allow for certain people who will never “buy in” to the study. However, by in large, your (staff) will walk away from the process having much more. It isn’t going to be perfect but they will be much closer to comprehending their goals. Not everyone is going to do it but it is a basic skill that everyone will gain…so people are not making that face.(Assumption of that response at the desk when someone asks if you can help them find a book). When Danvers announced its next subgenre as Epic High Fantasy-there was a lot of grumbling. They are doing their study two months apart (Danvers)

In Methuen staff voted on the genre; suggestion was made that MBLC trainer Debbie Walsh will share Biblical historical fiction with them if asked. Nancy devised an approach to Historical Fiction where they will read every five weeks using the following schedule: British Isles, Europe, Americas, Adventures, Romances, Mysteries.

Romance is often the least favorite genre among staff. Shelley mentioned that at the MBLC training in October only 3 out of 21 participants admitted to reading Romance but among the general public 40% of readers read Romance. The observation was made that there is a group of people who read Non Fiction because they think it is better quality material. This does not mean that some people do read NF for pleasure. Leane mentioned a recent Carole King, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell biography (Girls Like Us by Sheila Weller) that she liked but stated Devil in the White City was a good benchmark title [for narrative nonfiction).

Eileen commented that she likes to read nonfiction because of the way people live, it helps you understand the world, get information, learn something she would not have known, and to live through someone’s experience. You are experiencing a point of view.

Leane said she likes to read to know why someone would do something. Nanci says she reads both fiction and NF but she only reads narrative non fiction. People who come from an extensive fiction background probably need narrative NF. The trend in NF is that more and more seems to be written in narrative like Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert which helps one to understand another culture, or Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. Sometimes people like to read in-depth about current issues such as the financial situation, global warming, experiments in medical science. Eileen says she likes to understand “how we got here”.

People read NF who are searching for self education. Gave example of the Tom Friedman book Hot, Flat, and Crowded. Leane commented on a fellow staff member who is looney for ET stuff. She wants the non fiction books about it. This is a staffer who doesn’t care about the narrative structure. Leane and Nanci both read to escape.

Some people are looking into things because they want to understand. Tricia mentioned the NF which focuses on one thing like Cod or Salt (both by Mark Kurlansky). This is called microhistory. Leane used the Salt title with her book group and said many of this type of book reflects the artistry of the writer. When she used it with her group it generated a discussion about what people like in non fiction. Leane observed that it was very valuable what Neal Wyatt wrote in her discussion of the “story continuum.” The question was: Is it a garnish or the “meal”? Leane put a summary of the nonfiction handout by Neal Wyatt up on the on the wiki.

Began discussion of The Devil in the White City (DWC) Leane asked if people felt the book was readable.

Mary found it was overwhelming in one place…all the details were confusing. Jan felt not so much unreadable but uninvolving. Looking back at it she wished she had known more about why Holmes did what he did.

Nanci liked the Holmes' chapters better [than the Architect chapters]. She liked the alternating points of view. Becky found the architecture parts less interesting but liked the parts about the World’s Fair better. Mary said if this were presented as a work of mystery fiction it would be hard to believe it could have happened. Leane said that Walker had written a work of mystery fiction novel based on this story. Robert W. Walker's City for Ransom (2005). BTW, I have attached here a link to the Morton Grove Public Library’s reading list for World’s Fair titles.. they would make a great display. [1]

Nanci said she was not disturbed about why Holmes did what he did. The book needs to speak to you as a reader. It needs to show how the characters were shaped (but Nanci reads true crime).

It was observed that this book was set in a time in the country when things are starting to change. Using all that is happening in Chicago, Larson brings it all together. He makes Chicago a character in the book. He is braiding the stories by using writers techniques that are appealing. For example, he teases the reader when he describes the person who was contracted to produce the object that would “out Eiffel “ the Eiffel Tower. Mary observed that one can’t imagine the lack of communication so many years ago. People were disappearing and there was no way to find out what was happening to them.

Discussion about how individual readers approached the book. For example Frances Millet was introduced at the beginning of the book as being on the Titanic and Shelley had to immediately look up to see if he had drowned (he did). This demonstrates an experience of how some readers may approach reading non fiction when they have the ability to check their facts.

Aside from the slowness (a spot [in the book] somewhere) many felt the title was pretty gruesome. Leane observed that To kill a Mockingbird has some very sickening and violent content but is more psychological. Yes, there is depravity in The Devil in the White City and this may be off-putting to some readers.

You could tell someone to read alternate chapters. Mary was most upset about the disappearance of the little girls. She said it was ironic that HH Holmes was caught because of the fraud and insurance scam and not the murders. This was one of the first documented cases of society dealing with a serial killer.

Discussion about how Holmes got away with it. He had different contractors build different parts of the building. Today the authorities would know what to look for. It wasn’t just a plain homicide.

There was discussion about what type of book the reader is in the mood for. Each reader is looking for the book that focuses on how they want to read the story.

It has to be a good story with the quality of reporting details. Some people felt there was too much detail; for example: about the architecture (However, this is individual taste). Some people wanted more visual accompaniment. The book Operation Jericho [a fictional YA novel by Joshua Mowll]was mentioned as a good example of fiction that makes up the maps, letters, phots, etc. Leane mentioned other Larson titles: Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History (1999) which is about the Galveston flood, a weather book. It is another book you come away with knowledge and other things happen in that book. Also title that is told in another way is Thunderstruck which alternates the story of Marconi's quest for the first wireless transatlantic communication amid scientific jealousies and controversies with the tale of a mild-mannered wife murderer caught as a result of the invention.

What else about DWC makes it a compelling read? Tatiana commented on how Larson used hooks for the reader. Question about how does the author do that in non fiction? There was discussion about the use of narrative description in a work of NF. For example: Larson mentioned that Holmes “was sweating”. For some readers if this were a work of historical fiction they could accept it. Others think it is believable if you are developing the character. Others felt Larson could not possibly know what Holmes was thinking. For some it was hard to believe how Larson knew what Holmes was thinking or what emotions he might have had (although he did leave three diaries or accounts but probably lied in some of what he wrote). Some readers will allow for it, some will believe, and others with reject it.

Mary mentioned that Holmes kept the letters from the little girl. As people began to get closer and closer to the truth, Holmes seemed to try to see how far he could go.

Elective Titles (Should all be posted by readers on Wiki).

Mary read The Poet and the Murderer by Simon Worrell that took place in Amherst and involved the Jones Library. They had to go to auction and raise money to buy a lost poem by Emily Dickinson. It was discovered that the poem had gone through the hands of a master forger, There is a connection with the Mormans. This murderer also has blue eyes, too. (A reference to Larson’s description of HH Holmes). This took place in 1980s.


[Shelley read John Berendt's City of Venice.See her summary under Elective titles.

Eileen read Terry Tempest Williams' Refuge which is set in Utah in the 1980’s. She stressed that the writer was a naturalist in residence in Utah; she became the matriarch of her family because everyone had died of cancer because of nuclear testing. This story is beautifully written and as part of her grieving process the author writes about the bird sanctuary on the shores of the Great Salt Lake. Apparently birds’ eggs were breaking up and nests were being destroyed. The author uses the bird sanctuary and nature to help herself heal. It is more of a memoir. It reflects environmental concerned literature such as that started by Rachel Carson. The appeal in this title is language, and the descriptions are wonderful, She likes the character of the author. Some reference made to another title by Alan Weisman, The World Without Us which talks about what happens when you abandon a house, [a city's infrastructure, etc. Excellent environmental writing. Leane's note]

Tatjana read Blue Latitudes by Tony Horowitz. It follows the voyages of Captain Cook who went around the world three times. Horowitz tries to recapture what Cook was going through in Polynesia and what has happened to these places since then. Cook was a bit mysterious. He kept a diary, but there were not a lot of memorials for all his travels. This is a travel memoir and the appeal is setting and character. The tone is thoughtful and follows each of his journeys. Another title mentioned was Alone Across the Atlantic by Jerry Spease who traveled in a small sailboat across the Atlantic in a boat he built himself.

Jan read Stephen Puleo’s Dark Tide, the true story of the Molasses flood in Boston’s North End. Puleo focuses on individual characters (he uses real characters). There is plenty of testimony that he draws on but he does use some fiction techniques. He describes the building of the tank. He includes testimony from the treasurer of the company and timelines; There was a civil trial where people were trying to sue for damages. May appeal to people who have read The Given Day by Dennis Lehane which is fiction from the same period. Also it is set against the backdrop of WWI. The reader can follow the trial or court case which is often a good unifying device in these stories.

[Leane also read The Poet and the Murderer by Simon Worrell. As well as listened to Tony Horvitz's Blue Latitudes, and mentioned that a good readalike for Horvitz is Bill Bryson commenting on the narrator as traveler character, descriptions of the places & people, and humorous element in both. Also listened to Bryson's "In a Sunburned Country."]

Nanci read Fiend by Harold Schecter. This is true crime about a young boy named Jessie Pomeroy. As a young serial killer, he started with animals, moves on to killing younger children. There is some Boston connection. His mother suspects that he is behind the disappearance of some missing children. His mother moves the family but the murders continue in the new location. It is set in the 1870’s. He is sent away after murdering 12; sentenced to life in solitary confinement) sent to prison farm. There is a tie in with Caleb Carr’s The Alienist. Other titles mentioned were The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester and Longitude by Dava Sobel.

Rebecca also read Dark Tide and another title called A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel. This is memoir and is written as interconnected series of vignettes. [Sweeter, cozier Glass Castle.] Other titles mentioned were The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and Jesus Land by Julia Scheeres.

Michelle read Lady in Red by Hallie Rubenhold. This is the true story of Lady Seymour Fleming. She was valued because she had money and married someone titled name Worsley. She was sued for being in “criminal conversation” with another man, not her husband and he demanded 30 million dollars (in today’s terms). In the end there was a trial which takes up a great deal of the meat of the book. The Duchess of Devonshire who was the subject of a recent feature film is a character in the book.

Tricia read The Lost City of Z by David Grann. This is the story about Percy Fawcett who was an Amazonian explorer; he wanted to find a fabled city in the Jungle (Mato Grosso, Brazil). He was secretive about his plans and his expedition was reported as missing. A number of people tried to find out what had happened to him. Supposedly more than 100 people have died following up on this expedition. [Readers who enjoy this may like Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief.

[Other nonfiction titles mentioned were: Learning Joy from Dogs Without Collars a memoir by Lauralee Summer; Jen Lancaster's Bitter is the New Black, Join Me by Danny Wallace, and Gerald Durrell's essays.]

[Members felt that if we were to read nonfiction titles again perhaps we should try memoir, microhistory, travel writing (women's travel is a subgenre), food writing--all popular with our patrons.]

Shelley Quezada Nov 25, 2009

[edit] Elective Narrative Nonfiction Title

Choose your second read from Leane's list: http://www.nmrls.org/ce/RART_nov09_list.htm

[edit] Genre: Gentle Reads

[edit] Benchmark Title: Jan Karon's At Home in Mitford

[edit] Elective Gentle Reads Title

[edit] Genre: Romance

[edit] Benchmark Title: Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Natural Born Charmer

[edit] Elective Romance Title

Read second Romance Title of your choice from any subgenre (Regency, Historical, Fantasy, Alternative Reality, Christian, Category, etc.)

[edit] Selected Reader's Advisory Websites and enewsletters

  • Fiction_l Subscribe through Morton Grove (IL) public library website. This is the premier readers' advisory mailing list

http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

[edit] Library Awards

[edit] Genre Magazines:

[edit] Blogs

Fan blogs, publishing blogs, librarian blogs, and genre blogs.

[edit] Other Resources

[edit] News Items

Please add items here that are relevant to the genre study or newsworthy. Put your item at the top of the list with a date and your first name and last name initial.

Just the Facts Ma'am: Women of Mystery and True Crime: Wednesday, March 03rd ~ 7pm Forensic Investigation with Mary Kate McGilvray

Sunday, March 21st ~ 2pm Sisters in Crime New England: We're Not Making This Up

Wednesday, March 24 ~ 7pm Author Visit: WHDH-7 reporter, Hank Phillippi Ryan

Wednesday, March 31 ~ 7pm Boston Globe Crime Reporter, Maria Cramer

Peabody Institute Library, Danvers http://www.danverslibrary.org/ref/programsmystery.html (978)774-0554 (posted by Tricia 2/1/10)

  • Sweet Talk: Romance Fiction in the Library

Romance is hot . . . in the library, that is. Join Donna Seaman, Booklist's romance fiction editor, and a panel of librarians, authors, and publishers to discuss the state of the genre—in public libraries and in the marketplace. Panelists include John Charles, Reference Librarian, Scottsdale (AZ) Public Library; Shelley Mosley, Adjunct Librarian at Glendale (AZ) Community College; Madeline Hunter, best-selling author of 17 historical romances; Kayleigh George, Library Marketing Coordinator at HarperCollins Publishers; and Cheryl Herman, Library Marketing Manager for Books on Tape/Random House. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/354863994

Don't miss what is sure to be an entertaining and informative session.

RESERVE YOUR PLACE TODAY

November 12, 3–4 p.m. (CST) (Shelley Posted 9/30/09)

Coming in November 2009 Sisters in Crime New England http://www.sincne.org/ will be holding its annual New England Crime Bake http://www.crimebake.org/index.htm from November 13-15, 2009 in Dedham, MA (per ShelleyQ)











  • Literary Walking Companions ... what fun- the Encinitas (CA) bookstore encourages potential bookworms to meet at their bookstore and take a walk while talking about books! I bet a library could do the same thing http://www.encinitasbooktales.com/literary.html (Shelley 04/09/09)
  • Readers turning to Romance and other escapist literature in difficult economic times. See NYTimes article

http://nytimes.com/2009/04/08/books/08roma.html (Shelley Q)

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